A killer seems to be stalking a group staying at an isolated house along the coast, and Sherlock Holmes is called in by an insurance man to investigate, as the members of the group have provided for their fellows to be the beneficiaries of their relatively recent policies, suggesting that one may be murdering the others to get a big payoff for himself. Atmospheric surroundings and a local legend regarding the house — which says that none there go to their grave whole, as appears to be played out with not just fire consuming a body, but a torso murder, too — add interest to the brisk inquiry. A good entry in the Rathbone-Bruce series.

  Recommended. Otto finds this one pleasing enough to relax.

Movie 22 for 2021.